Hosts Ivory Coast narrowly prevented a humiliating Africa Cup of Nations group stage exit earlier than two resilient performances within the knockout rounds to guide a semifinal berth however know they need to play a lot better if they’re to succeed in the ultimate.
The Ivorians face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday with their status restored after edging Mali in Saturday’s quarterfinal in Bouake regardless of being right down to 10 males for almost all of the sport and going a purpose behind.
They recovered to equalize within the ninetieth minute after which scored the winner within the final minute of extratime.
“We weren’t far from elimination but I’m really happy for the players because they didn’t give up, they fought until the end and they were rewarded for their efforts,” stated Emerse Fae, who took over after coach Jean-Louis Gasset was fired on the finish of the primary spherical.
The Ivorians got little likelihood of getting this far after stumbling via the group phases the place they suffered a humiliating 4-0 loss to tiny Equatorial Guinea of their cavernous new stadium in Abidjan.
It left them with an agonizing three-day wait earlier than they have been certain of a spot within the knockout phases, going via because the final of the most effective third-placed finishers.
In the final 16, they eradicated holders Senegal however solely after a late penalty noticed them draw 1-1, take the sport into extratime after which squeeze via on post-match spot kicks.
On Saturday, they’d middle again Odilon Kossounou despatched off within the forty third minute earlier than Mali took the lead within the 71st.
“If you manage to win with 10 against 11 while being down 1-0 with 20 minutes to go, it is because there is a mental strength,” added Fae. “I think tactically we were very good, almost better with 10 men rather than 11.”
Fae, a French-born former Ivorian worldwide who was Gasset’s assistant at first of the match, stated they now wanted to vary the way in which they began video games.
“Against Senegal, it took us 10 to fifteen minutes to get into the match and towards Mali we had tactical issues that we have been unable to initially resolve. We have been fortunate towards Senegal and Mali to come back again every time.
“We need to try to control the match rather than enduring the pressure and being forced to struggle and having to make the effort to come back,” he stated.
“What we did in the last two games are positive signs that give you hope. I would have preferred not to have a lot of suspense like that, however,” Fae added.
Source: www.dailysabah.com